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Windsor Middle School Principal Eric Johnson poses with students for a fun photo on Wednesday afternoon in the school's hallway. / Carol Hirata/For the Beacon

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Weaving through the streams of students heading to their last few classes of the day on a Friday afternoon, Windsor Middle School Principal Eric Johnson was undoubtedly in his element.

The hall was bustling and crowded around the seventh-grade classrooms, but he still stopped every few steps to give out a high-five, greet students by name or simply say “hey, man” from across the hall.

And with the brusque, no-nonsense demeanor of a former football coach and the kind, friendly nature of someone who’s dedicated his life to children, Johnson is easily a school celebrity of sorts.

Though he’s been in education longer than most of his students have been alive, you can still tell that he has the “cool guy” factor to which young people are so drawn. When he talks, they listen.

In fact, the students seem so comfortable with him that it’s hard to believe he was only at the school one year before becoming principal in mid-November.

On Nov. 8, Windsor Middle School’s longtime principal, Doug Englert, was arrested for a domestic violence incident that happened two days earlier at his home. The next day, Englert was placed on paid administrative leave and Johnson took over, leaving his previous position of assistant principal and athletic director.

Englert, ending his 18 years in the district, retired Dec. 10.

“It’s actually been really smooth,” Johnson said, when asked about the transition to being principal.

Johnson started teaching 15 years ago at Buena Vista High School. Moving around Colorado, he ended up at Greeley West for nine years and then served as the assistant principal and athletic director at Valley High School in Gilcrest before taking on the same title at WMS.

“I feel that there’s been a ton of support, not only within our building, but also at the district level and certainly within the community,” Johnson added. “Of course, there are a lot of things that have been difficult simply because of the long tenure that Doug had.”

But, while the change in leadership happened abruptly and in undesirable circumstances, Johnson said everyone has been working on looking toward the future.

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“I’d say there’s varying levels of emotion, both with students and staff. I think everyone is coping with things in their own way,” he said. “I think it’s been very good in a lot of ways that we can investigate some new directions but certainly value the things that we are proud of and the traditions that have been established here for a long time.”

Weld RE-4 Superintendent Karen Trusler said Windsor Middle School is lucky to have Johnson because of the skills, attitude and energy he brings to his new role.

“He understands the demands of the position, and he also has the passion for education and our children. And so, for me, it has been a win-win for our students and our community,” she said.

Looking forward, Johnson said the school is getting ready for TCAP testing in early March. He also said he’s enthusiastic about some new technology that can be found across the building and in classrooms.

But, most of all, he’s excited to see his first eighth-grade class as principal go into high school.

“I’m really excited to see how we’ve been able to get them ready to go onto the next level and see what they’ll be able to do in high school the next four years.”